World leaders hailed Nelson Mandela as an icon for struggle against racism and for freedom, offering condolences for his family, country and the entire world.

World leaders hailed Nelson Mandela as an icon for struggle against racism and for freedom, offering condolences for his family, country and the entire world.

UN leader Ban Ki-moon praised Mandela as a "giant for justice" while the UN Security Council said the South African icon had changed the lives of countless millions.
"Many around the world were influenced by his selfless struggle for human dignity, equality and freedom. He touched our lives in deeply personal ways,"
Ban told reporters in tribute to Mandela, who died Thursday aged 95.
"Nelson Mandela was a giant for justice and a down-to-earth human inspiration," the UN secretary-general added.

UNSC: Inspirational Leader
The 15-nation UN Security Council held a minute's silence and called South Africa's first black president "an inspirational leader."
a rare statement paying tribute to an individual, the council said Mandela "transformed the lives of millions of people around the world."

The statement expressed "deepest admiration" for Mandela's moral and political leadership and said he "will forever be remembered as someone who gave up so much of his life in the struggle for freedom, so that millions could have a brighter future."

Obama: Mandela Bent History towards Justice
For his part, US President Barack Obama Mandela as a "profoundly good" man who "took history in his hands and bent the arc of the moral universe towards justice."

America’s first black president, who met the former South African president briefly only once in 2005, but was inspired to enter politics by the anti-apartheid hero's example, paid a somber heartfelt tribute within 45 minutes of Mandela's death being announced.

"We will not likely see the likes of Nelson Mandela again," Obama said in a televised statement, hailing his political hero for his "fierce dignity and unbending will to sacrifice his own freedom for the freedom of others."
Obama said Mandela, in his journey from a "prisoner to a president," transformed South Africa and "moved all of us."
"He achieved more than could be expected of any man."

The US leader ordered that flags on US government buildings, ships at sea and installations be lowered to half staff through sunset on Monday, in a rare honor for a foreign leader.

Putin: Mandela Committed to Humanism
Russian President Vladimir Putin also hailed Mandela as "one of the greatest politicians in modern times", saying the former South African president was a man who never betrayed his convictions.

"Mandela, having gone through the most difficult ordeals, was committed to the end of his days to the ideals of humanism and justice," Putin was quoted as saying in a Kremlin statement.

"A whole era of modern African history is connected with the name of Nelson Mandela, which is marked by victory over apartheid and building the democratic South Africa," the statement said.

Cameron: A Great Light Has Gone out
British Prime Minister David Cameron said "a great light had gone out" following Mandela's death as flags flew at half-mast at his Downing Street Office.

"Nelson Mandela was a towering figure in our time; a legend in life and now in death -- a true global hero," said Cameron.
"Across the country he loved they will be mourning a man who was the embodiment of grace," he added.

"Meeting him was one of the great honors of my life. My heart goes out to his family -- and to all in South Africa and around the world whose lives were changed through his courage.
"A great light has gone out in the world."

For her part, Britain's Queen Elizabeth II said Friday she was "deeply saddened" by the death of Mandela, adding that he had "worked tirelessly for the good of his country".

"The Queen was deeply saddened to learn of the death of Nelson Mandela last night. He worked tirelessly for the good of his country, and his legacy is the peaceful South Africa we see today," Buckingham Palace said in a statement.

French PM: Extraordinary Man
On the other hand, French prime minister Jean-Marc Ayrault said Friday that all French flags will fly at half-mast in tribute to Nelson Mandela, praising the late anti-apartheid leader as an "extraordinary man".

"All humanity is in mourning," Ayrault told reporters in Beijing, on the second day of a visit to China.
"France joins in this mourning. She stands alongside the South Africans who are crying today for this great man."

Abbas Praises Mandela’s Commitment to Palestinian Cause
Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas paid tribute Friday to Mandela's commitment to the Palestinian cause as he mourned the South African liberation icon.

"This is a great loss for all the peoples of the world, and for Palestine," Abbas said, hailing a "symbol of freedom from colonialism and occupation."
Mandela, who first visited Palestinian territories in 1999, was an ardent supporter of the Palestinian cause and a champion for Middle East peace.

"The Palestinian people will never forget his historic statement that the South African revolution will not have achieved its goals as long as the Palestinians are not free," Abbas said.

He described Mandela as the "most courageous and important of those who supported us."

Indian PM: True Ghandian
Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh also hailed South Africa's anti-apartheid icon as a "true Gandhian" who would continue to inspire future generations after his death.

"A giant among men has passed away. This is as much India's loss as South Africa's. He was a true Gandhian," Singh's office tweeted after the news of Mandela's death at the age of 95.

"His life and work will remain a source of eternal inspiration for generations to come. I join all those who are praying for his soul."

Australian PM: Truly Great Man
Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott hailed Mandela on Friday as "a truly great man".

"Nelson Mandela was one of the great figures of Africa, arguably one of the great figures of the last century," Abbott told Fairfax radio, referring to him as the father of modern South Africa.  

In an official statement, the prime minister said Mandela "will forever be remembered as more than a political leader, he was a moral leader".